Foundation/AGM2022/Election to Board/Answers and manifestos/Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director

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Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director ?

Many not-for-profit organisations, including OpenStreetMap US and HOT, have a paid position usually called the Executive Director.

  • Should OSMF already have one or not yet?
  • If yes, what should that person be doing compared to the Board?

Daniela Waltersdorfer J. - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

As a member of the OSM US Board I am a bit biased on this one because I have the utmost respect towards the OSM US Executive Director, Maggie Cawley. She has gone above and beyond to grow our chapter and push for community initiatives, events, learning opportunities, where our community feels engaged and welcomed. Thus, I think it would be a great move to have someone who is 100% dedicated to the OSMF. I would love to discuss this further with OSMF Community Members to learn from them regarding this idea!

Arnalie Vicario - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

I am not against the idea of having an Executive Director (ED) but I think there are other approaches we can try or improve first before looking into hiring an ED.

I see the Executive Director as the main fundraiser and with that, they might still need a team to operate or implement the task. OSMF Board has already convened a Fundraising WG and we can mobilize this as well as other WGs; however, we need to better support them. To be able to do this, I believe a community mobilizer / engager is crucial.

Włodzimierz Bartczak - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

In this case, we should first consider whether we can afford such an expense in long period of time. It is clear to me that if we want to grow, we will have to increase the number of people employed. It is impossible to carry out all tasks efficiently with only the help of volunteers. I would first like to find answers to the questions of who OSMF needs most. A Director or a Lawyer to help with license enforcement? One of the reasons I want to reactivate the SWG is to identify priorities before we start spending money.

Ariel Kadouri - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

The OSMF Board has agreed responsibilities which currently include both strategic direction and executive action to accomplish those directives. While the OSMF decidedly would like to remain a lean organization, it has started to pay essential individuals for their work on OSM core infrastructure. I think as the OSMF continues to execute the strategic plan, it may make sense to have a full time individual committed to achieving those goals. The decision to hire an executive director cannot be made without first determining stable funding and defining a clear role and goals.

Victor N.Sunday - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

Christian Shadrack - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

I think so, because the Executive Director is the one who is most in front of the business of running the organization and he should be encouraged in what he does otherwise the whole organization falls.
For such a position, volunteering is not recommended because he/she must be available at all times to conduct the day-to-day business and meet the requirements of the moment.

Sarah Hoffmann - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

I can see benefits in a paid position of a executive director. I'd see them as a support to relief some of the daily chores from the board members. This could include tasks like first response to inquires, doing research for board decisions and liaising with community members and related organisations. I will need to see more of the daily work of the board to form a more concrete opinion if, when and how such a position should be established.

Logan McGovern - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

No. I think it would beget resentment between the elected board members and would encourage politicking. As a compromise, I might be able to support this theoretical position of 'OSMF Executive Director' being rotated between the three board members with the longest tenure or something similar.

Arun Ganesh - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

An ED would most likely be beneficial to speed up moving in the direction of the strategic plan. Personally, i'm not feeling the need for an ED at the current scale at which the OSMF operates.

Mateusz Konieczny - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

To start I want to reject a false choice here between "should already have one" and "not yet". Option "no" should be at least considered.

I do not think that OSMF Executive Director is a good idea, but I have not investigated this topic deeply. But I suspect that in the case of employing someone there may be more urgent positions.

Craig Allan - Q12 Should there be a paid OSMF Executive Director?

Many not-for-profit organisations, including OpenStreetMap US and HOT, have a paid position usually called the Executive Director. Should OSMF already have one or not yet? If yes, what should that person be doing compared to the Board?

An Executive Director, or similar grandiose title, is normally appointed to implement the plan for the organisation, and the ED's achievement or failure is evaluated against the plan.

However, the OSMF Board doesn't have a plan right now. The Board, the Working Groups and a few contracted staff keep things going just fine, fix problems and do course corrections, but there is no long term Vision statement, no organisational plan, no list of delegations, no job descriptions, no clarity on the scope of the role of the ED. So NO, right now a paid ED or similar would not be appropriate. Maybe we can get an ED later, if we want to and if we are able to transition the organisation into a more hierarchical, well defined, procedural structure.

What is the ED role compared to the Board?:

If YES, we appoint an ED, then the Board will retain their strategic and oversight roles and the ED will run the organisation according to a job description and delegated powers set by the Board. To be operational and fulfill their role the ED will need clear authority to make stuff happen and will need to be 'The Boss' of the staff and the budget.

However, volunteers don't respond well to 'Boss' instructions and are not subject to discipline so the ED will need to be a charismatic and persuasive leader to get things done. If the ED wants to control the work of the Working Groups then it will all start to get messy and political and an inclusive change management process will be necessary to define what the ED can (and can't) manage.


OSM Foundation's board election 2022: official questions

All board candidates' manifestos

2022 OpenStreetMap Foundation's: Board election - Voting information and instructions - Annual General Meeting

v · d · e
Annual General Meetings of the OpenStreetMap Foundation
Board Elections
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